TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Five Reservists from the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron here are expected to complete construction on a 1,500 sq. ft. emergency communications center by April 1.
The ECC is located within Bldg. 7017, which also houses the 72nd Security Forces Headquarters and Station 4 of Tinker Fire and Emergency Services, and is expected to be fully operational before the Star Spangled Salute Air Show May 20-21, according to 507th CES project managers Joe Wade and Senior Master Sgt. James Randol.
“This is an excellent opportunity for us to show active duty what our Reservists can do,” said Lt. Col. Richard Ropac, commander of the 507th Mission Support Group.
The original bid for the ECC was upwards of $6 million, but due to limited facility project funds, the 72nd Mission Support Group and the 507th Mission Support Group collaborated to combine the manpower of the 507th CES and the materials of the 72nd MSG.
“In our resource-constrained environment, this ECC really showcases the exceptional facilities we can build with limited funds and manpower,” said Col. Michael Green, 72nd Mission Support Group commander.
Using fewer funds on construction will allow for the ECC to receive state-of-the-art equipment, according to 1st Lt. Aaron Wolfe, 507th MSG executive officer.
“Through the efforts of the 507th CES, we are saving the government roughly $3 million to $4 million dollars,” said Maj. Kevin Smith of Tinker AFB Fire and Emergency Services.
The ECC will be the first facility to have Next Generation 911 in the state of Oklahoma, an internet-based system that allows digital information such as photos, videos, and text messages to flow seamlessly from the public into the 911 network and then on to emergency responders, according to the 911 website.
“The hardware is approved, but we are still awaiting approval for our software,” said Smith. “Our communications personnel will be installing $2 million worth of communication equipment in the new facility.”
All on-base landline calls will be dispatched at the ECC, and the dispatchers will have the capability to receive and transfer cell phone calls to and from other 911 call centers as appropriate.
The ECC will be run by two security forces controllers, two fire and emergency services operators, and a dispatch supervisor. In 2016, Tinker AFB Fire and Emergency Services responded to 1,345 calls, according to Assistant Chief Brian Farris.
“Once the calls come in, our dispatchers will have the ability to dispatch fire, police, and medical via radio,” said Wolfe. “Emergency Medical Dispatchers are specifically trained to walk callers through potentially life-saving techniques over the phone when seconds matter.”
Five 507th CES Airmen are working full-time on constructing the ECC: Master Sgt. Deric Nixon and Senior Airman Hunter Conatser, heavy equipment operators, Tech. Sgt. Jose Cabral and Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Terry, structures journeymen, and Staff Sgt. Michael Wallace, an electrical systems technician.